Aaron’s Story: When It Rains, It Pours
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hurricane Ian robbed Aaron of his room. It’s not the first hardship he’s faced. When the world shut down and COVID-19 spread in 2020, Aaron’s life imploded. After years apart and a thousand-mile separation, he and his wife finalized a divorce. Meanwhile, the start-up for which he worked in Gainesville let him go. His spiral […]
Mission Accomplished: Nikki Reynolds
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Before coming to the Mission, Nikki had reached (as she describes it) “rock bottom.” She and her two kids were living in a roach-infested, violence-filled apartment with her boyfriend. She learned about the Mission and applied for a room. Nikki remembers entering her Mission room for the first time. “I will never forget going […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Jamie B.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Inspired by her mother’s legacy, Jamie volunteers at the Mission faithfully, assisting the same vulnerable neighbors her mother, Cheryl, supported — homeless women and children. Growing up, Jamie remembers volunteering with her mom, passing out homemade sandwiches and lunch bags to people on the streets. “She did not mind getting her hands dirty. She […]
Norberto’s Story: Dedicated Dad with Gratitude
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Life was a challenge for Norberto before he came to the Mission. He grew up with siblings from different fathers, and his grandmother did her best to raise him, but he began selling drugs when he was thirteen. His childhood was enormously unstable – at eleven years old he ran away from home, staying […]
Volunteer Spotlight: The Gobezies’ family time and community service
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Reuben and Courtney Gobezie started volunteering with their family at the City Mission in Cleveland when their first two children, Grant, now 19, and Gaege, 17, were only three and one years old. Reuben, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Gobezie Shoulder Institute, was extraordinarily busy, but he was determined to spend time […]
Garisha’s Story: Garisha credits the CLC and the Mission for so much
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] After going through a rough situation with her children’s father, Garisha was left to take care of her five kids by herself while also facing eviction from their apartment. Although down on her luck, Garisha remembered her mother’s words, “Why worry when you can pray.” Garisha took her mother’s advice, and soon after was […]
Gary’s Story: A life of crime to a life of Christ through Project Hope
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] From criminal to Project Hope Disciple, Gary finds the support and encouragement he needs to transform his life. Gary’s life was never easy. Growing up, he endured many challenges due to his undiagnosed learning disability. Although he took special education classes, his mental difficulties prohibited him from staying still, being calm, and controlling his […]
Daniell’s Story: A single mother of four finds refuge and a new outlook on life
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Daniell, a single mother of two, was overjoyed to learn that she and her fiancé were expecting their first child together. “I stopped working to be an at-home wife and mother,” Daniell says. After the arrival of their son, they married. “Then, things went downhill.” Daniell’s husband began abusing drugs. “It just got really, […]
Twyla’s Story: At the Mission she developed an unshakable faith in God
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In 2015, a series of unfortunate events left Twyla and her three children—Kyeda, Kelyse, and Khaleel—homeless. “Things were hard. Money was low. We were living in our car and showering at a friend’s house,” she recalls. “I used whatever money I had to make sure my kids and I had something to eat. That’s […]
Matthew’s Story: From addict and criminal to Project Hope disciple
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] “My life was a mess,” says Matthew, describing his history before arriving at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission more than two years ago. At the time, he was a fifteen-year drug addict with an extensive criminal record and was facing a new charge of dealing in stolen property. The judge offered him probation if […]